April 11 (Reuters) - Canada’s main stock index reversed course to trade higher on Wednesday morning as escalating tensions between the United States and Russia over Syria pushed up gold and crude oil prices.

* Wall Street opened lower due to losses in financial stocks and rising U.S.-Russia tensions over Syria.

* U.S. President Donald Trump warned Russia of imminent military action in Syria over a suspected poison gas attack and blasted Moscow for standing by Syrian President Bashar Assad.

* Trump was responding to a warning from Russia, Assad’s main ally, that any U.S. missiles fired at Syria would be shot down and the launch sites targeted.

* Brent crude jumped to a high of nearly $72 a barrel, boosting the energy sector by 1.3 percent.

* Suncor Energy, Canadian Natural Resources were up nearly a percent and provided the biggest boosts to the sector.

* Shares of Barrick Gold Corp and Goldcorp rose more than 2 percent and lifted the materials sector.